West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-04-21
DEATH DEALING WIND.
A TORNADO IN EASTERN ONO.
Martins Ferry, st, CiairsvilIo and
Other Towns Devastated - Inn
mcnsc Damage 60 Property
and Several Lives Lost.

A storm cloud. accompanied by heavy
wind aud hail, swoopod down on the town OF
Martins Ferry at AIS O'Clock Friday after.
noon. Tho day had been sltry and cloudy
and at o'clock heavy bank-ot light celored
clouds appeared In the west. Tho first ink.
ling the residents had OF the storm was a
shrill roar which attained such terrific vol,
ume as TO loo heard plainly mile away.
Thstornado struck tho town from tho north
west and cut huge swNth, leveling brick
houses aud frame dwellings alike, in many
instances ovcrtaking and covering up tho un
fortunate residents before they could effect
Nu escape from their shattered. dwelhngS >
OVER 100 HOUSES WRECKED.
The number OF houses wrecked Will foot up
between 75 and l0), in addition TO which the
Martins Ferry Stove Works, largo concern
employing over 100 mon, was almost com
pletely wrecked. The south wall was torn
completely out and other portions OF the
structure so badly wreck cd as TO compel the
entire rebuilding of the works. The Elson
Glars Works was also badly injured the
mould shops being blown down aud the pack
ing house and factory unroofed and the walls
partially demolished.
Tho loss i'm the Clark addition, just north
OF tho town is simply incalculable, fully fifty
brick aad frame structures being destroyed,
many OF them being literally wiped out of
existence.
The violence OF tho storm was such that
tombstones in the Walnut Grove Cemetery,
were torn cut OF the ground and lofty monu,
ments snapped Off short like twigs.
In other portions OF the devastated sections
buggies could be seen hanging on fence rails
the ground for hundreds OF yards around be-
ing strewn with spintored fragments OF
household furniture, clothing and miscella-
nsous articles
THIRTY PERSONS INJURED.
Tho number OF persons injured Will foot
up in the neighborhood OF 20 or 80. The fol-
lowing Ia partial list OF those injured.
James Riley, both legs broken; internally
injured; will die.
Mrs. James Riley hurt internally.
Mrs. A. S. Wilhelm, iught beneath falling
walls; collar bone broken.
John OttinRer, right shoulder broken.
James Lash, injured internally.
Lucy JOrdon, arm broken, splinters driven
into her side and dangerously.
John Simsford, rib broken.
Mark Davidson, head crushed by piece OF
timber; will die.
Mrs. Bridget Duffy, hurt internally.
Infant daughter OF Charles Summers, hit
10y "a brick while in its mothers arms,
James Owen, right leg broken.
Tho loss Will be between $40, 900 and 500,
O0O
The storm which caused such great da IN.
age at Martins Ferry did heavy damage in
st, Clairsville, the county scat os Belmont
county. Ohio. Six hou.es were blown down
and 90 unroofod, but fortunately no lives
lost. Among the houses totally destroyed
were tho United Presbyterian Church, the
residence OF Benz amin Parkhurst the First
National Bank, tho resideuc, OF A. O. VOL.
day and Welday's Hall, aud the dry goo Is
store OF G. Troll & Sons
The residence and barn OF judge Thomas
Cochran, two miles wot OF town was all1
blown down 10 the ground, The Fair Ground
was depleted Of fences, stands and othor
buildings, and is entirely dosolatel.
The tornado crossed the G. eveland and
Pittsburgh Railroad at Slmmitvile, and
was accompanied by a huge waterspout,
which bu~st just on the outskirts OF tho town,
destroying fences aud farm property, t,arin :
mp trees AMI pro,tratiug tole graph wiros.
Reports OF the damage done are meagre, ow-
ing TO the wires being down. No fatalities
are so far reported.
KILLED ny LIGHTNING.
About $3.50 o'clock, heavy thunder and
hail storm occurred at Niles. Mira Michael
Maloney, aged 4O was struck dead by light
ming while standing in an upstairs window
The bolt struck the chimney, then rin down
and knocked down her husband and killed n
cat that was standing beside him. Thp
woman was unmarked, save on the fac, and
neck, which was blackened like ebony. Nal
oney is watchman at the Falcon Iron Works
nn1 will recover. The house, small two
tory frame did not iguit from the fash.